Illinois Senate OK’s civil unions for gay & lesbian couples

December 02, 2010

Posted by Carlos Santoscoy on ontopmag.com:

"A lengthy debate to recognize the
unions of gay and lesbian couples in Illinois is over with
Wednesday's passage of a civil unions bill in the state Senate. [See video of Senator Ricky Hendon below (h/t to Michael Crawford)]

"The bill gives gay couples many of the
rights and obligations of marriage.

“'Today, Illinois took an important
step forward in providing a measure of protections to same-sex
couples and their families – protections of particular importance
in these tough economic times,' Evan Wolfson, executive director of
Freedom to Marry, a group that lobbies for marriage equality, said in a
statement.

“'With this step in the right
direction, Illinois rejected arguments against fair treatment for gay
people and their loved ones and acknowledged that gay couples and
families exist and have the same hopes and needs as other families,'
he added.

"Wolfson also urged lawmakers to follow
in the footsteps of other states that have legalized the freedom to marry
after first approving civil unions.

“'Having now laid a good foundation
with civil union, Illinois should move swiftly to finish the job,
ending exclusion from marriage for committed couples seeking the same
responsibilities, same respect, and same rules.'

Freedom to Marry was the campaign to win marriage nationwide. With the Supreme Court victory on June 26, 2015, the work of this strategic campaign – though not the larger movement – was achieved, and Freedom to Marry wound down its operations, closing in early 2016. For inquiries, please email legacy@freedomtomarry.org.